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Kinesiology Dictionary

Please use this dictionary of professional kinesiology terms and definitions to help you learn. New terms and definitions will be added on a regular basis for you to learn from. I have decided to extend the dictionary to include terms and definitions from sciences that relate to and support being a kinesiologist or any other healthcare professional. Knowledge itself is power - use the dictionary to empower yourself. Please use the letters in blue below as links to get to the first letter of the term you are looking for. You will be transferred to another page containing those terms and definitions accordingly. Enjoy!

Term
Definition
Associated Field
Axon
Nerve fiber transmitting impulses from neuron
Anatomy / Neuroscience
Term
Definition
Associated Field
Bolus
Mass of food swallowed
Nutrition / Physiology
Term
Definition
Associated Field
Cytokine
Signaling molecule in immune system
Biology / Pathophysiology
Cardiac cycle
Sequence of heart contraction and relaxation
Physiology / Exercise Physiology
Cognitive function
Mental processes like memory and attention
Psychology / Sport Psychology
Contrast agent
Substance improving imaging visibility
Medicine / Pathophysiology
Cardiac stress test
Assessment of heart under stress
Exercise Testing / Physiology
Coagulation
Process of blood clotting
Physiology / Pathophysiology
Cori cycle
Metabolic pathway converting lactate to glucose
Biochemistry / Exercise Physiology
Cardiovascular disease
Diseases affecting heart and blood vessels
Pathophysiology / Medicine
Cortical bone
Dense outer layer of bone
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Control group
Group not receiving intervention in study
Sociology / Exercise Testing
Cortisol
Stress hormone released by adrenal gland
Physiology / Psychology
Cerebrospinal fluid
Fluid cushioning brain and spinal cord
Anatomy / Physiology
Cortex
Outer layer of organ (e.g., brain)
Anatomy / Neuroscience
Cell membrane
Semi-permeable outer layer of cell
Biology / Physiology
Cardiac rhythm
Pattern of heartbeats
ECG / Physiology
Cone cells
Retinal photoreceptors for color vision
Anatomy / Physiology
Capsule (joint)
Fibrous structure surrounding joint
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Chi-square test
Statistical test for categorical data
Sociology / Biostatistics
Cardiomyocyte
Heart muscle cell
Anatomy / Physiology
Cervical spine
Neck portion of the vertebral column
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Catabolism
Breakdown of complex molecules
Biochemistry / Physiology
Cervical vertebrae
Vertebrae of the neck
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Cerebral hemisphere
One half of the cerebrum
Anatomy / Neuroscience
Chest wall
Muscles and bones surrounding thorax
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Calf muscle
Muscle group at back of lower leg
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Compartment syndrome
Increased pressure within muscle compartment
Sport Injury / First Aid
Chronic disease
Long-lasting health condition
Pathophysiology / Medicine
Caloric expenditure
Energy used by body for activity
Exercise Physiology / Nutrition
Cardiorespiratory system
Heart and lungs functioning together
Anatomy / Physiology
Capillary
Smallest blood vessel
Anatomy / Physiology
Curare
Muscle relaxant toxin
Pharmacology / Physiology
Circulatory system
Heart and vessels transporting blood
Anatomy / Physiology
Cognitive load
Mental effort required for a task
Psychology / Motor Behavior
Creatine phosphate
Energy storage molecule in muscles
Exercise Physiology / Biochemistry
Creatinine
Waste product of muscle metabolism
Physiology / Pathophysiology
Chest compression
Component of CPR
ACLS / First Aid
Cytoplasm
Material inside cell excluding nucleus
Biology / Physiology
Calcaneus
Heel bone of the foot
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Constipation
Difficulty in bowel movements
Pathophysiology / Nutrition
Connective tissue
Tissue supporting and connecting body parts
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Crepitus
Crackling sound in joints or lungs
Pathophysiology / Sport Injury
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Emergency procedure for cardiac arrest
ACLS / First Aid
Cubital tunnel syndrome
Compression of ulnar nerve at elbow
Pathophysiology / Sport Injury
Coordination
Ability to execute smooth, controlled movements
Motor Behavior / Exercise Physiology
Convection
Heat transfer via fluid motion
Physics / Exercise Physiology
Colostomy
Surgical opening of colon
Medicine / Pathophysiology
Concentric contraction
Muscle shortening during contraction
Exercise Physiology / Strength and Conditioning
Cardiac rehabilitation
Program to restore heart health
Exercise Physiology / Medicine
Circumduction
Circular movement of a limb
Biomechanics / Exercise Physiology
Compensation (exercise)
Adjustments in movement to maintain performance
Biomechanics / Exercise Physiology
Cardiovascular response
Heart and vessel adaptation to stress
Exercise Physiology / Physiology
Cellular respiration
Process of converting glucose to energy
Biochemistry / Physiology
Calcification
Deposition of calcium in tissue
Pathophysiology / Physiology
Cardiorespiratory fitness
Ability of heart and lungs to supply oxygen
Exercise Physiology / Strength and Conditioning
Confounding variable
Factor affecting study results
Sociology / Psychology
Carbohydrate
Macronutrient providing energy
Nutrition / Biochemistry
Chondrocyte
Cell forming cartilage
Anatomy / Physiology
Circadian rhythm
Biological cycle of ~24 hours
Physiology / Psychology
Cartilage
Flexible connective tissue at joints
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Compliance (respiratory)
Lung expandability
Physiology / Exercise Physiology
Child development
Physical and cognitive growth in children
Motor Behavior / Psychology
Coenzyme
Molecule assisting enzyme activity
Biochemistry / Physiology
Cardiovascular system
Heart and blood vessels
Anatomy / Physiology
Cytotoxic
Cell-damaging or killing
Pathophysiology / Biology
Colon
Part of large intestine
Anatomy / Physiology
Cerebellum
Brain region coordinating movement
Anatomy / Neuroscience
Central nervous system (CNS)
Brain and spinal cord
Anatomy / Neuroscience
Consciousness
Awareness of self and environment
Neuroscience / Psychology
Capillary refill
Time for color to return to nail bed
First Aid / Physiology
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Compression of median nerve at wrist
Pathophysiology / Sport Injury
Chemotaxis
Movement of cells toward chemical stimulus
Biology / Physiology
Caloric intake
Total energy consumed from food
Nutrition / Exercise Physiology
Cardiac output
Volume of blood pumped per minute
Physiology / Exercise Physiology
Cross-bridge
Interaction between actin and myosin in muscle contraction
Exercise Physiology / Biochemistry
Colles fracture
Fracture of distal radius
Sport Injury / Pathophysiology
Cutaneous sensation
Skin-based sensory perception
Physiology / Motor Behavior
Coma
State of prolonged unconsciousness
Pathophysiology / Neuroscience
Cross-sectional study
Observational study at a single time point
Sociology / Exercise Testing
Collagen
Protein forming connective tissue
Anatomy / Biochemistry
Carbohydrate metabolism
Conversion of carbs to energy
Physiology / Biochemistry
Cognitive therapy
Psychological treatment targeting thoughts
Psychology / Sport Psychology
Cardiomegaly
Enlargement of the heart
Pathophysiology / Medicine
Cytoskeleton
Network of fibers supporting cell structure
Biology / Biomechanics
Cryotherapy
Cold therapy for injury treatment
Sport Injury / Exercise Physiology
Cell cycle
Series of phases a cell goes through
Biology / Genetics
Clinical nutrition
Use of nutrition in treatment
Nutrition / Medicine
Cardiac arrest
Sudden cessation of heart function
ACLS / First Aid
Clinical assessment
Evaluation of patient condition
Medicine / Exercise Testing
Cell
Basic unit of life
Biology / Anatomy
Chemoreceptor
Sensor detecting chemical changes
Physiology / Biology
Cardiomyopathy
Disease of heart muscle
Pathophysiology / Medicine
Clavicle
Collarbone connecting arm to trunk
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Carpal bones
Bones of the wrist
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Progressive lung disease
Pathophysiology / Medicine
Continuous passive motion (CPM)
Device moving joint after surgery
Exercise Physiology / Biomechanics
Cell differentiation
Process by which cells become specialized
Biology / Genetics
Cardiovascular endurance
Ability to sustain aerobic activity
Exercise Physiology / Strength and Conditioning
Catecholamine
Hormones like adrenaline
Physiology / Biochemistry
Cerebral cortex
Outer layer of brain involved in cognition
Neuroscience / Psychology
Cataract
Clouding of the eye lens
Pathophysiology / Medicine
Term
Definition
Associated Field
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)
Molecule carrying genetic information
Genetics / Biology
DNA damage
Alteration in DNA structure
Genetics / Pathophysiology
DNA repair
Mechanisms fixing DNA damage
Genetics / Biochemistry
DNA replication
Process of copying DNA
Genetics / Biology
Dendrite
Branch of neuron receiving signals
Neuroscience / Biology
Denervation
Loss of nerve supply to tissue
Neuroscience / Pathophysiology
Dependent variable
Outcome measured in an experiment
Sociology / Psychology
Depolarization
Reduction of electrical charge across cell membrane
Physiology / ECG
Depolarization wave
Electrical impulse in muscle or heart
ECG / Physiology
Depression
Mood disorder with persistent sadness
Psychology / Sport Psychology
Dermatology
Study of skin and its diseases
Medicine / Pathophysiology
Dermatome
Skin area supplied by a single spinal nerve
Anatomy / Neuroscience
Dermis
Middle layer of skin
Anatomy / Physiology
Desaturation
Decrease in oxygen saturation
Pathophysiology / Exercise Physiology
Desmosome
Cell structure for adhesion
Biology / Anatomy
Detection threshold
Minimum stimulus intensity sensed
Psychology / Physiology
Determinant of health
Factor influencing health outcomes
Sociology / Public Health
Determinism
Belief that behavior is determined by causes
Psychology / Sociology
Detoxification
Removal of toxins from body
Physiology / Nutrition
Developmental milestone
Age-specific achievement in growth
Motor Behavior / Psychology
Deviated septum
Displacement of nasal septum
Anatomy / Pathophysiology
Diabetes mellitus
Metabolic disorder with high blood sugar
Pathophysiology / Nutrition
Diabetic foot
Foot complication due to diabetes
Pathophysiology / Medicine
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Dangerous complication of diabetes
Pathophysiology / Medicine
Diabetic neuropathy
Nerve damage due to diabetes
Pathophysiology / Medicine
Diabetic retinopathy
Eye damage caused by diabetes
Pathophysiology / Medicine
Diagnostic test
Procedure to identify disease
Medicine / Pathophysiology
Diaphragm
Primary muscle for respiration
Anatomy / Physiology
Diaphragmatic breathing
Deep breathing using diaphragm
Exercise Physiology / Psychology
Diastasis recti
Separation of abdominal muscles
Physiology / Exercise Physiology
Diastole
Phase of heart relaxation
Physiology / Cardiology
Diastolic blood pressure
Pressure during heart relaxation
Physiology / Cardiology
Diencephalon
Region of brain including thalamus and hypothalamus
Anatomy / Neuroscience
Diffuse injury
Widespread tissue damage
Pathophysiology / Sport Injury
Diffusion
Movement of molecules from high to low concentration
Biology / Chemistry / Physiology
Diffusion gradient
Difference driving diffusion
Physiology / Chemistry
Digestion
Breakdown of food into absorbable components
Physiology / Nutrition
Digestive enzyme
Substance breaking down food
Nutrition / Biochemistry
Digestive system
Organs involved in food processing
Anatomy / Physiology
Digital rectal exam
Clinical exam of rectum
Medicine / First Aid
Digital sensor
Device converting physiological signal to digital
Biomechanics / Motion Analysis
Digitalis
Heart medication from plant source
Pharmacology / Physiology
Dilation
Widening of vessel or organ
Physiology / Pathophysiology
Dimorphism
Existence of two distinct forms in a species
Biology / Genetics
Dislocation
Joint displacement from normal position
Sport Injury / First Aid
Disorientation
Confusion regarding time, place, or person
Psychology / Neurology
Distal
Farther from point of attachment
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Distal phalanx
Bone at tip of fingers or toes
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Disuse atrophy
Muscle wasting from inactivity
Exercise Physiology / Pathophysiology
Diuretic
Substance promoting urine production
Pharmacology / Physiology
Diurnal rhythm
Same as circadian rhythm; daily biological pattern
Physiology / Psychology
Diurnal variation
Fluctuation of biological processes over day
Physiology / Psychology
Dominance (genetics)
Expression of one allele over another
Genetics / Biology
Dominant gene
Gene that expresses its trait over another
Genetics / Biology
Dopamine
Neurotransmitter regulating movement and mood
Neuroscience / Psychology
Doppler effect
Change in frequency of waves relative to motion
Physics / Biomechanics
Dorsal
Relating to the back side of the body
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Dorsal column
Part of spinal cord carrying sensory info
Neuroscience / Anatomy
Dorsal flexion
Same as dorsiflexion; upward foot movement
Biomechanics / Exercise Physiology
Dorsal root
Sensory nerve root of spinal cord
Anatomy / Neuroscience
Dorsal root ganglion
Cluster of sensory neuron cell bodies
Anatomy / Neuroscience
Dorsalis pedis artery
Artery on dorsal foot
Anatomy / Physiology
Dorsiflexion
Upward movement of foot at ankle
Biomechanics / Exercise Physiology
Dose-response
Effect of dose on outcome
Pharmacology / Physiology
Dosing
Administration of medication amount
Pharmacology / Medicine
Double-blind study
Research design reducing bias
Sociology / Psychology
Double-support phase
Phase in gait when both feet are on ground
Biomechanics / Motion Analysis
Down syndrome
Genetic disorder from trisomy 21
Genetics / Pathophysiology
Downhill running
Running on decline slope
Exercise Physiology / Biomechanics
Downward phase
Eccentric portion of exercise
Exercise Physiology / Strength and Conditioning
Drag force
Resistance force opposing motion through fluid
Physics / Biomechanics
Drape test
Movement analysis using marker drapes
Motion Analysis / Biomechanics
Duct
Tube conveying fluids in the body
Anatomy / Physiology
Ductus arteriosus
Fetal blood vessel connecting pulmonary artery and aorta
Anatomy / Physiology
Ductus venosus
Fetal vessel shunting blood past liver
Anatomy / Physiology
Dumping syndrome
Rapid gastric emptying causing symptoms
Pathophysiology / Nutrition
Duodenum
First part of the small intestine
Anatomy / Physiology
Dynamic contraction
Muscle contraction with movement
Exercise Physiology / Strength and Conditioning
Dynamic equilibrium
Balance maintained during motion
Biomechanics / Exercise Physiology
Dynamic stretching
Stretching performed with movement
Exercise Physiology / Strength and Conditioning
Dysarthria
Difficulty speaking due to muscle impairment
Neurology / Psychology
Dysautonomia
Dysfunction of autonomic nervous system
Pathophysiology / Neuroscience
Dyscalculia
Difficulty with arithmetic
Psychology / Education
Dysgeometria
Impaired perception of distances
Neurology / Psychology
Dysgeusia
Altered taste perception
Pathophysiology / Nutrition
Dyskinesia
Abnormal or impaired movement
Motor Behavior / Pathophysiology
Dyskinesia assessment
Evaluation of abnormal movements
Motor Behavior / Exercise Testing
Dyslexia
Learning disorder affecting reading
Psychology / Education
Dysmenorrhea
Painful menstruation
Pathophysiology / Physiology
Dyspnea
Shortness of breath
Pathophysiology / First Aid
Dyspnea scale
Tool to measure shortness of breath
Exercise Testing / Physiology
Dyspraxia
Difficulty in motor planning
Motor Behavior / Psychology
Dyssynchrony
Uncoordinated muscular or cardiac activity
Physiology / Exercise Testing
Dysthymia
Chronic mild depression
Psychology / Sport Psychology
Dystonia
Involuntary muscle contractions
Neurology / Motor Behavior
Dystrophy
Degeneration of tissue or organ
Pathophysiology / Medicine
Dysuria
Painful urination
Pathophysiology / Medicine
Term
Definition
Associated Field
Extrinsic muscles
Muscles originating outside the region they move
Anatomy / Biomechanics
Eye-tracking
Measuring eye movement to study attention
Psychology / Motion Analysis
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